Greek air traffic controllers have sharply criticized aviation authorities following reports published on the investigation into a half-day blackout in the Athens Flight Information Region (FIR), blaming serious administrative failures and outdated systems for the incident.
In a statement responding to the official findings, the Hellenic Air Traffic Controllers Association said the report confirms long-standing warnings about systemic problems within the country’s civil aviation administration. According to the union, the blackout exposed “administrative chaos,” hours-long delays in identifying the cause, and a lack of coordination among senior officials.
The incident occurred on January 4, 2026, when a major disruption affected air traffic control operations in the Athens FIR. The association stressed that the safe landing of all aircraft that day was achieved solely because of the professionalism of air traffic controllers and the immediate decision to suspend operations by imposing a so-called “zero rate,” effectively closing the airspace to prevent further risk.
Controllers argue that this decision prevented a potentially far more serious outcome. They say the investigation makes it clear that returning air traffic capacity to 100% immediately after the incident was unjustified and dangerous, especially since the exact cause of the blackout could not be determined.
According to the report, the failure may have resulted from multiple factors, while authorities acknowledged they cannot provide firm operational guarantees for the voice communication system used in air traffic control. The union says this finding alone makes it impossible to safely handle full traffic volumes without a comprehensive safety assessment, as required by European regulations.
The association also warned that, under current conditions, Greece will struggle to safely manage the sharp increase in air traffic expected during the summer travel season. It pointed to delays in installing new VHF radio transmitters, arguing that the blackout might have been avoided had the necessary equipment been delivered on time.
Controllers further criticized management decisions related to the procurement of key air traffic control systems, accusing aviation authorities of repeatedly presenting a misleading picture of progress. They claim officials insisted that “everything is under control,” while ignoring repeated internal warnings and, in some cases, attempting to silence staff who raised concerns.
Following the publication of the investigation, the union renewed its call for an immediate reduction in airspace capacity and a formal safety assessment before full operations continue. It urged the minister responsible for infrastructure and transport to intervene, warning that failure to act would put both air traffic controllers and passengers at risk.
The association concluded that the report assigns clear and serious administrative responsibility for the blackout and said decisive action is now needed to restore safety and confidence in Greece’s air traffic control system.
